AN: Hey everyone! Had to split this chapter in two since I didn't want to make you guys wait any longer. And I wanted plenty of action for the upcoming battles as well!

Chapter Warnings: Language, death, blood

Pairing: Ash x Gary

Chapter 42 – Aerials

Even with the dragons weighed down with all of their battle armor, they were still making really good time. It wasn't long before they zero in on the League army as their enemy settles down to camp for the night.

Flaming torches light up the writhing mass far below them. Spread out sporadically throughout the marching force. All the soldiers merging together into one large shadow due to the lack of light and the large distance separating the small stealth unit from the army.

Gary's Beta sends a zoomed in image to his mind when even his newly enhanced vision fails to pick out their numbers. He blanches at the size of the oncoming force. It's as if every city in Kanto had been emptied of its League presence in order to form an army with enough strength to completely eliminate the Dragon Riders once and for all.

There is clearly over fifty thousand soldiers engulfing Route 22. The long procession reaching all the way back towards Viridian City.

It's possible not all of them have even left the base yet if they are bottlenecked from the Route's thick forests...which means we can't attack the Academy yet…

"What should we do? We can't attack our target yet if all of them haven't even left the damn base yet and we can't just turn around. Not after that speech the King gave to finally boost everyone's fighting moral. They won't follow him into battle if they knew the odds were so far out of our favor." Frank's voice echoes through Gary's new comms unit built into his helmet. Speaking in code to prevent any League technology from overhearing the entirety of their plan if the enemy somehow managed to break through their scramblers.

"Well, we can't just hover here." Anibal bites out. "They'll spot us sooner or later."

Gary hums in agreement and steers his dragon onward. Slowly flying forward as he analyzes the soldiers below. The others follow silently. Muscles tense as they strain their ears. Waiting for an alarm siren to begin ringing. The cue that they have been spotted.

"Let's just get close to the target for now and find our rendezvous point. We can figure out what to do next once we've landed." Gary states. Pushing his new flyer harder to reach their destination as soon as possible.

If we can't attack tonight, then we need to get word to Ash. Give the Aerials more time to prepare before launching to take their positions.

They land fifteen minutes later in a secluded clearing on a steep drop-off overlooking the Academy. As soon as they land, Anibal pulls a pokeball off of his belt. The white energy condensing into a towering 7 foot tall shape. A thick trunk like body forms along with two clawed feet. Three heads emerge from the light with flopping grass fringe sprouting out between them. An Exeggutor, the coconut pokemon.

The Hunter Moon Rider leads his grass/psychic type pokemon around the clearing. Exeggutor coaxing the surrounding foliage to grow above them. Hiding the clearing from view from above. Preventing them from being seen by any League scouts or soldiers flying in from another city. Allowing them to concentrate fully on analyzing the League base below them.

As soon as Exeggutor finishes, Gary steps closer to the two older Riders. Crossing his arms over his chest, he meets their gaze head on.

"We need to contact Ash about the size of their army. He needs to know we aren't attacking until tomorrow night...Do either of you have another flyer that can relay the message? I don't want to risk a comms message incase its overheard." Gary asks as an afterthought.

They both shake their heads. There was no need for another flyer when they have dragons. The only pokemon that can keep up with a Dragonite in Kanto is Pidgeot and only when the bird pokemon has no rider and the dragon is burdened by heavy armor.

Frank gives him an odd look before looking back at the Beta Dragonite. The dragons have laid down side by side at the fringe of trees closest to the Academy. Already dutifully watching their target as their Riders plan behind them.

"Can't your Dragonite just send a message to her mate to give to Ash?" The Crimson Streak Rider questions. Seeing Gary's confused gaze dart back and forth between him and Gary's dragon, Frank hurries to explain.

"Well, the Alpha and Beta are mated obviously. Mated dragons can communicate with each other in a way similar to how Riders with a strong bond with their dragons can communicate through thoughts and pictures. That's what Ragna told me once anyway. Her and Ansehelm's dragons used to be mated before they died a long time ago."

Gary's thoughts raced as he digested the information Ash's father just told him. Is that why I could hear the Alpha speak back in the crater? The Beta was transmitting the Alpha's thoughts to me or something? Is that why it felt different from when she usually talks to me?

Nodding in understanding, he approaches his dragon quietly. Squatting down next to her large head. Her yellow coloring almost completely covered by glittering black armor. He locks in on her swirling gray eyes.

"Can you pass a message on to Ash through your mate?" Gary asks her.

He smirks at the affirmative hum floating through his mind. Her grey orbs rolling slightly at his ridiculous question. Because of course his and Ash's dragons can communicate to each other. How silly of him to think otherwise.

Gary pats her thick arm affectionately. "Let him know that not all the soldiers have left the base yet and that we are postponing our attack until tomorrow night. The Aerials will have more time to prepare for their part in all of this. Might as well send him a picture too if you can. Let him know how many we are up against."

The female pokemon nods in understanding before going completely still. Gary feels a strong tingling at the back of his skull. Growing dimmer as it seems to reach out farther and farther away.

Towards the west.

Towards Ash and the Alpha Dragonite.

xxx-War of the Dragon Riders-xxx

Mt. Silver thrums with activity. As soon as the advance force led by Gary took off to the cheers of the Draconids, Ash dismissed the crowd to let the Aerials prepare for battle.

He helped where he could. Pulling weapons, armor and supplies out of storage with other Grounders as they separated the surplus into large piles. Making it easier for the Aerials to grab what they needed.

Ash answered as many questions about the battle plan as he could before Ragna tapped him on the arm. As she began whispering, he had to lean closer to her short stature to catch her words. "Remember my King," she begins. Quickly talking over him when he opens his mouth to protest being called his title outside of the Council Hall. "We still don't know if we have a traitor in our midst. We use psychic pokemon to relay orders instantly in battle so there is no need to tell everyone the whole plan now. Lest the word get out and our only hope dissolves before our eyes."

With her gray eyes hardened like steel, she meets his gaze meaningly before shuffling off again. As he straightens, he notices a slight buzzing at the back of his mind. Blinking in confusion, Ash spins to locate his dragon. Wondering if his pokemon is trying to get his attention.

It doesn't take him long to find the massive titan laying next to the small pond. Its large head raised and facing East. As soon as the dragon's gaze swivels to meet his, images slam into the forefront of his mind. Leaving him breathless at their intensity.

Images of thousands upon thousands of troops filling up Route 22. Images of soldiers still running around the Academy as a steady stream of them march out of its thick gates. Images of soldiers still filing into their base from around the country. Images of Gary, his father and Anibal settling down for the night as they take turns watching the still active base below.

And then, the images focus on Gary's face. One after another. So quick that its like watching a flip book. Or a jerky, old-fashioned movie.

Ash doesn't have the same skill level that Gary has when it comes to reading lips but he is able to pick out a few words. At least he's able to pick them out once a smooth, feminine voice echoes inside his skull. Matching the words spoken on his partner's lips.

Attack.

Tomorrow.

Aerials.

Prepare.

Reeling at the mental assault, Ash staggers towards the Council Hall. Clutching the side of his head as he rushes as fast as he is able to the Elders. Mind full of questions of the mysterious voice in his head and how the hell he could possibly know the size of the approaching army as they march onwards. Dozens of miles away.

xxx-War of the Dragon Riders-xxx

Gary leans casually against the Beta's side. Wrapped in a thin blanket he found stashed in a hidden compartment of the small saddle for him to sit in as she flies. He shivers in the chilly spring air. The cold black metal pressing against him sucks the warmth straight out of his body. As if his dragon is producing no heat of her own to warm up her armor.

But it doesn't bother him too much. The chill helps keep him awake. Keeps him focused as he watches line after line of soldiers march out of the Academy. The formations only broken by a tank or another vehicle every minute or so. The repetitive monotonousness trying to lull him into slumber. Only for another shiver to break him free from the borderline hypnotic effect the marching soldiers are casting onto him.

Gary had volunteered to take first watch about an hour ago but he was still running on adrenaline then. Now, the day's events have finally begun to catch up with him. The Trial, forming the bond with the Beta, all the mental strain that came with planning a counter-attack, Ash's speech, rushing off into the night to attack the Academy...and now nothing. Just sitting here watching soldiers march one after another.

He only holds out for another half-hour before he is rapping on Anibal's metal-clad shoulder to take over for him. The other two Riders also refusing to take off their armor in case they need to flee in a hurry.

Gary falls asleep almost as soon as his head lands on his dragon's bare forearm. Her scales surprisingly cool and smooth. Lulling him into unconsciousness faster than he has ever fallen asleep before. The low purring echoing through his mind automatically causing his muscles to unwind and relax.

He sleeps deep enough that he doesn't even dream.

xxx-War of the Dragon Riders-xxx

Ash rubs his eyes in exhaustion as the sun slowly rises with the coming dawn. As soon as he reported what he "saw" to the Council of Elders, they rushed to delay the Aerials take-off.

The Aerials huddle together now in the center of the crater as he watches from above. Sitting on the back of the Alpha Dragonite as they hover just above Mt. Silver. With Carys at his side, they look toward the south-east. Straining to see if they can see any traces of the approaching army yet.

But the sky's too cloudy. There isn't enough light yet to help even the dragons see that far. Nothing to prove that the visions he had a few hours ago are true.

"At least the Aerials will have cover as they get into position later today." Carys hums thoughtfully next to him. Staring at the thick clouds above them. Roiling dark grey clouds that threaten an oncoming storm.

Why does it always seem to rain whenever we go into battle? So inconvenient.

Ash sighs heavily as he sluggishly nods in agreement. Subtly counting the hours of sleep he can sneak if he rushed toward his cave right now before he needs to unleash the Aerials.

It's not many.

Carys takes pity on him as he sighs again. "Get some rest Ash. I'll come get you later." Her soft voice floats across the small space between them. He doesn't argue. Just nods tiredly in agreement.

Carys angles her dragon to lazily spiral back down towards the crater. The Alpha following several seconds later when Ash doesn't give it any order to follow. The raven already half asleep on the dragon's back.

The soft thump as the massive titan lands wakes him up just enough to slide down the Alpha's arm onto the walkway outside of his cave. Ash being too tired to question how the dragon knows which one to land in front of.

If asked later, Ash is almost positive he was asleep before he even finished flopping onto the bed.

xxx-War of the Dragon Riders-xxx

Ash's eyes creak open as he feels a dainty hand gently shaking him. Stiffly turning around, his tired orbs lock onto Carys' apologetic face. From the sunlight streaming in from the open doorway, he can tell that it's not time for the Aerials to leave yet.

Which means something happened and they need him to fix it.

Sighing heavily, he rolls out of bed and stretches. Joints popping in protest as his sore muscles expand from their lax sleeping positions.

Rubbing his aching brown orbs, he follows Carys out into the late afternoon light. She doesn't speak and he's too tired to ask where she's leading him.

They stop in front of the main tunnel leading out to the heart of the mountain.

A large pile of newly baked, steaming pokemon food is sitting in a large trough a short distance from the mouth of the cave. Carys' and her fiancé's dragons directing the tantalizing aroma on gentle air currents into Mt. Silver's vast tunnels and caverns under Aitor's watchful gaze.

Ash can already make out dozens sets of eyes staring out from the darkness. Refusing to come out of the safety of the mountain's depths for some reason.

Strange.

Ash has seen plenty of wild pokemon roam the crater as they search for a trainer or other pokemon to battle and play with them over the past few months. It's weird that they wouldn't leap at the chance for some free food.

"Why are they hiding?" He questions his friend tiredly.

She wrings her hands together before focusing once more on the pokemon just out of sight. Closing her eyes, she takes a deep breath as she focuses on the emotions of the pokemon in front of them.

"They are nervous." She states slowly. Staring into the cave in confusion. "They must've found out about the approaching army somehow. Either overheard all of us talking about it last night or smelt them coming. I'm not sure….They want to fight to defend their home but they don't know if they can trust us anymore…"

She trails off as her confusions grows. Her pretty face scrunching up in thought as she tries to decipher why the pokemon are hiding from them. "Why are they hiding?" She mumbles. "They know us. They grew up with us. They know we are no threat to them."

She turns to him. Confusion and hurt shining in her expressive blue eyes.

"I've seen how you are with your pokemon Ash. Even other trainers' pokemon and the younger dragons flock to you. You just have this way with them...Can you talk to them? Convince them that we want to protect them? Ask them for their help in return?" The tears in her eyes squeeze his heart painfully. Ash slings an arm around her shoulder in comfort as he analyzes the situation.

If they want to fight, that's good for us. They can help Carys and Aitor protect the mountain. But why are they so afraid? The League has never attacked here before so why are they so scared of them?

He's pulled from his thoughts by a series of loud stomping. Out of the darkness, a towering figure steps forward. Virtually almost the same height as the Alpha Dragonite. If not a few inches shorter. Green armor-like scales cover its body. Menacing spikes stick out from its head, neck and shoulders. Fangs, nearly the length of his hand, protrude from its open maw. Dark, triangular holes break the armor on its chest and legs. The ring of spikes in its tail leave gouges in the earth as the rock/dark type titan walks forward. Tyranitar, the armor pokemon.

Carys and Ash back away slowly as they register the angry glare on the pokemon's face. And if there was one thing you never wanted to do when you were in mountainous terrain, was to piss off a Tyranitar. The pokemon has been known to destroy whole mountains if it goes on a rampage.

The Tyranitar stops right in front of the trough. Angry red eyes still locked on them as bends down to sniff the food. As if checking that it was safe to eat. It slowly stands and continues to just stare at them. Still as a statue.

The immense presence of the large pokemon seems to provide enough comfort for the remaining pokemon of the cave to rush out towards the steaming food. Diving in heartily as they eat their meal in bliss.

But Ash isn't watching them. His gaze is still locked onto the green titan just several feet away. Recognizing its glare as one of challenge and dominance. This Tyranitar is the alpha of this mountain outside of the crater that the dragons claimed. The one no other wild pokemon will dare disobey.

The pokemon he must prove his resolve to if they are to have the help of the pokemon under its protection.

The rock/dark type blinks and shakes its head. Almost as if it was scoffing at him in disappointment. Tyranitar turns to leave. Moving back towards the cave entrance with the dozens of smaller pokemon at its heels.

Ash freezes in panic. No! We need their help to protect Mt. Silver!

Breaking away from his friend, he takes several steps forward. His arm stretching forward subconsciously.

"Wait! Don't leave!" Ash shouts.

If asked later what happened at that moment, Ash don't think anyone else would believe it if they didn't see it with their own eyes. Hell, even he doesn't really believe it. Even as its happening before him at this very second.

It's as if all of the wild pokemon just instantly froze. Legs stuck in the air. Some falling flat on their face as their mid-air bounds comes to abrupt stop. Landing face first onto the dirt when their paws refuse to catch them.

Only Tyranitar makes any movement. Just a slight turn of its massive head. Just enough movement for it to lock eyes with him.

Those red orbs. Wide in disbelief and confusion. Locked onto his brown ones. Locked onto the eyes of the human that somehow just managed to stop all of them in their place.

"Ash…" Carys incredulous whisper from behind him breaks the spell that held him silent in disbelief. Gathering his resolve, he takes a step forward.

"Please." Ash pleads. "Don't leave yet. I know all of you are scared. We are too. The League's army is massive and heavily armed but we have a plan."

He pauses to see if his words are sinking it but he doesn't dare look away from the impassive face of the green pokemon in front of him. In case whatever is holding them there to listen to his words suddenly stops working.

"We will lead them away from Mt. Silver but they may leave a few soldiers behind since they have so many. Carys and Aitor will stay along with those who can't race off to the battlefield but they need help."

He gestures back towards his friend and her lover. Both no doubt standing next to each other and their two Dragonites. Ash takes a deep breath and stands up straight. Hoping that his determination can be seen by the Tyranitar.

"Will you help us protect both of our homes?"

Ash stands there silently. Regarding the dual rock/dark type before him. He can see the deep battle scars covering the beast's back. Thick gouges that didn't break all the way through the pokemon's virtually impenetrable armor.

Ash stares at the Tyranitar who stares right on back. Several moments pass in silence. Before he begins to worry if the giant pokemon is now completely frozen like the rest of them, its nods its large head.

Ash sighs in relief. The spell breaking at the same moment. Tyranitar turns fully forward and disappears into the cave. The smaller pokemon rush after it. But some turn to glance back at him. Their eyes shining with the same confusion that Ash saw in Tyranitar's eyes.

As the last pokemon vanishes into the darkness, Ash sways on his feet as he is hit by a sudden dizziness. Bracing for impact against the hard ground, he blinks in surprise when thick arms wrap around his torso.

Blinking in surprise, he looks up. Carys' massive Dragonite fills his immediate vision. Thanking the pokemon quietly, he regains his balance. Stepping away, he turns to face the two Riders.

"Amazing!" Aitor calls out. His large brown eyes blown even wider than normal in his astonishment. "He told them to wait and they all just...froze! Is this the power of the King of the Drakes?!"

Ash doesn't respond. He doesn't know what to say. He has absolutely no idea why those pokemon froze like that. Why Tyranitar alone was still able to move. Why he got so dizzy when they left.

What happened? Was it really me who made them freeze like that?

"Either way, let's keep it a secret for now. At least until we can figure out what's going on." Carys speaks quietly. Eyeing Ash with concern and wonder.

They all nod in agreement. If that really was Ash that did that then word can't get out. There might be a traitor in their midst and they need every advantage they can get their hands on.

xxx-War of the Dragon Riders-xxx

Gary sits poised on the back of his dragon. Moonlight breaks through the clouds for several moments to shine upon the empty League base.

It had cleared out just a few hours ago. They watched almost a hundred thousand more soldiers pour out from the Academy. The final part of the procession marching off towards Mt. Silver until not even the dragons could see them anymore.

Now they are just waiting. Waiting as lights flicker off one by one. Waiting for the right time to strike.

He strains his hearing to see if he can pick out sounds of the Aerial attack. But he hears nothing. And neither does the Beta.

He's asked her several times already. Much to her annoyance.

"All the patrols have gone inside to grab food. We only have a few minutes before their replacements come out."Anibal's voice echoes through the comms set in his helmet.

Gary had sent the Hunter Moon Rider to a closer position as soon as the last soldier stepped out of the gates. They needed to figure out the rotation schedule of the remaining patrol guards in case the system is different in the six and a half months that Gary has been away from the Academy.

He grunts in acknowledgement as he settles further onto the back of his dragon. Signaling to Ash's father, they launch into the air seconds later. Anibal rocketing up to meet them as they race towards the League base.

Their dark armor blends them into the night sky. Preventing them from being seen by the looming control tower in the center of the compound.

They separate as they fly over the base's walls. Frank heading towards the Academy's generator, Anibal to the broadcast tower and Gary towards the control tower.

They have to disable the League's ability to call for reinforcements as quickly as possible. They have no choice. The entire plan will fall apart if the League finds out that Draconids knew they were coming.

They can't leave anyone alive.

Spiraling in from above the tower, he can feel the armor below his fingers grow steadily colder and colder.

He almost begins to panic at the abrupt change in temperature before he remembers Carys telling them that each dragon has a particular affinity. With the dragons being able to learn many different types of moves, it's not really that surprising that each dragon will be more in tune with a specific element over the others.

He can already tell that the Alpha Dragonite has a fire affinity. How can anyone miss it with the massive amounts of heat that pokemon gives off? But he wasn't sure what the Beta's affinity was until now. She has kept it a smug secret from him for her own amusement.

He had forgotten that portion of his Trial. The moment where she almost shot an Ice Beam into his face. It had been buried deep into his memories. Whether by her power over their bond or his own forgetfulness, he had forgotten. And she horded the memory away just to play with him.

But there is no denying it now.

He managed to bond to a dragon with the rare ice type affinity. A flying dragon's biggest weakness. And his dragon has completely mastered it.

As the freezing cold reaches its peak, ice crystals begin to creep over the edges of her armor. Large smirk in place, he raises his hand. Pointing down toward the tower they are hurtling towards.

"Dragonite, Ice Beam!"

White lightning bursts from his dragon's open maw. Slamming into the tower with all of its destructive force. She spirals down and to the side. The cold beam still firing as she spins around the control tower. The ice shattering the windows and deep-freezing everything inside in just mere seconds.

Faces pulling upward in shock. Mouths open in silent screams. Their bodies a nasty shade of blue and white as the very air and blood freezes inside their bodies. Organs hardening in the cold as the tower controllers die almost instantly from the harsh exposure.

Satisfied that none of the control equipment would ever work again. Gary wheels his dragon away from the instant floating tundra.

Sparks on his right draw his gaze. Down on the ground, he watches Frank and his dragon wreaking absolute havoc on the Academy's power grid and backup generator.

Thunder Punch after Thunder Punch flood the electrical system. Turning the thick wires into a melted mush of rubber and copper wire. Overloading the capacitors and breakers with billions of watts of electrical power. Completely decimating the system as the powerful attacks land. The same ones that were used on him just a mere few months ago above Silph Co.

Frank stands next to his dragon's side. Slicing away power lines with his sword. His specialized, insulated armor keeping him safe from the sparking electricity so close to him.

Spinning around, he spots Anibal several hundred feet away. His dragons wings and tail glowing a bright silver as it hardens its scales and wings. Strengthening its body until it's harder than the armor on its back.

With quick darting movements, it slashes through the massive metal broadcast tower with its Steel Wings and Iron Tail. Slicing the tower to small bars before it can even begin to tumble down to the ground. With the same speed and power he and Ash saw at Grampa Canyon so long ago.

Nodding in approval, Gary calls out for them to carry on their attack plan. "Gather." He speaks into the comms unit.

The two Riders angle their dragons back towards him. Arriving just seconds later with barely a breeze of disturbed air rushing by him.

As one unit, the dragons begin to gather white hot energy in their back of their mouths. Lighting up the night sky as the energy grows and increases in intensity.

"Hyper Beam!" Three voices yell out in tandem.

The air itself vibrates as the powerful attacks are unleashed. Completely obliterating the ground where they land. Spinning in a lazy circle, the dragons direct their attacks to erase every part of the base they can see.

Gary is forced to duck his head into the Beta's dark armor. Covering his eyes from the bright glare and protecting his ears from the screeching of concrete and metal being torn apart on an atomic level.

And then there's silence. No shifting rubble. Not screeching iron. No wailing screams of the injured.

Just silence.

Gary stares at the scene below him. There's literally nothing left. Just huge piles of dust settling down from being thrown up in the air by the crippling attack. Only a few large black holes remain. Holes that lead down to the part of base hidden below ground. Safe from the terrible destruction the dragons unleashed.

As one, the dragons spread out. Strategically placing themselves evenly over the edges of the flattened Academy. Gary watches as the air condenses around each dragon. Almost creating a solid bubble from the intense air pressure. Hell, he can barely even see the other Riders anymore through his own whipping screen.

"Now!" He yells out.

The Beta plummets toward the Earth. Speed increasing drastically as she falls. With a loud boom, she collides with the ground.

Their air bubble protects them from injury. Projecting all the momentum and power of the dive into the ground. Sending out a minor, localized Earthquake forward. Meeting with the other Earthquakes caused by the other two dragons at the heart of the League Base.

With a grinding roar, the internal structure of the base begins to crumble. Destroying all equipment and rooms left hidden underground.

They launch into the air as the ground begins to cave. A large crater forming where the Academy once stood.

The place where he spent most of his life. The place where he and Ash became partners. The place where he got his first pokemon. The place that taught him almost everything he knew.

All that was left was a gaping hole of nothingness.

"Mission success." Frank's voice knocks him from his musings. A surge of adrenaline and triumph rushing through him at the words.

Smiling in victory, just minutes after their attack began, he wheels the Beta towards the West.

"Time to meet up with the Aerials."

xxx-War of the Dragon Riders-xxx

It didn't take them long to locate the small, hidden ravine a short distance away from Route 22. Their Dragonites landing next to the Captains leading the Aerial assault, Heath and Silvanus.

Gary almost didn't recognize Heath at first. Dressed in his Captain's armor, face lacking all the childlike humor and energy he displayed earlier, the Burgundy Cloud Rider is practically a different person.

They stand in the background as they watch their fellow Riders in action. Heath and Silvanus stand in front of around 150 Lieutenants. Each having 10 Aerials under their command. Totaling only about 1,500 flyers.

1,500 against the 150,000 League soldiers marching against them.

Heath calls out orders to the Lieutenants assembled in front of him. Silvanus stands at his side in front of a short table. Gary can make out several sheets of paper held down with weights. Each depicting various movements and maneuvers they will be using in the upcoming skirmishes. As well as a map of Route 22 with X's marking strike points.

An Alakazam stands next to the silver haired Rider. Glowing dimly in the middle of the night. Relaying a picture of the formations to each of the Lieutenants' minds.

Heath pauses briefly after every few sentences. Giving his partner a chance to give more detailed instructions. Insights that only come with years of battle experience.

Needless to say, Gary is impressed. He watches silently as the orders wash through his mind as well. Depictions popping up immediately to help further cement the corresponding orders. It's a genius system. Assuring the Captain's orders are relayed properly and narrowing the possibility of confusion.

The connection severs as the Lieutenants are dismissed. Running off to relay their individualized orders to their squadrons.

Heath bounds over to them as soon as they catch his eye. His former energy slightly restored as he practically begs for details over how their mission went. Gary is about to answer but Silvanus' dark green gaze catches his before Gary can even open his mouth. A small jerk of the older man's head before he walks away convinces the brunet to follow him. Leaving Frank to tell the teen about the Academy's destruction.

They walk a short distance away. Just enough to prevent anyone from eavesdropping. The tall Captain stares at him impassively. Gary returns the blank stare. Having no urge to start the conversation considering the older man was the one who pulled him away to begin with.

"How are your team's dragons faring?" Silvanus asks quietly. Gary blinks in astonishment. Not expecting the Forest Blade Rider to ask such a question.

Gary motions behind them. The Beta and other two Dragonites lounge next to a large boulder. Eating quietly as they rest from the mission they just completed.

"Not too bad." He responds. "They are a bit worn out from having to unleash so many strong attacks in such a quick succession but we sustained no injuries."

Silvanus nods quietly. His dark gaze wandering over the assembled Aerials. Eyes somewhat dulled as the man loses himself in thought.

It's not hard to predict what he is thinking. Gary saw no specific plans for his team in the battle plans the two Captains shared earlier. Silvanus is no doubt trying to decide where to best place their strongest assets. AKA the dragons.

"Just send us where you think is best." Gary interjects. Pushing his pride and need to lead down as much as he can for the good of the assault. "This is your mission. I won't overstep my bounds. You know the Aerials better than I do."

Silvanus eyes him silently. Lean arms crossing over his chest as he regards Gary. Dark green eyes gleaming with a hint of respect. Finally, after an eternity of awkward silence, he nods.

"Very well. Your team will stand at the ready with us at the command post. I will send you out where you are needed at the moment."

With his orders given, he spins on his heel and glides away. Graceful as ever even under his heavy Captain's armor.

Scoffing at the sight, Gary heads back to his squad. Settling down for a quick meal before they are called to battle stations.

xxx-War of the Dragon Riders-xxx

Adrenaline bubbles in his veins. Gary sits atop his dragon as he watches the League army below them. The five Dragonites with their Riders wait poised at the top of cliff that guards the edge of Route 22.

Silvanus' Alakazam sits behind his trainer. Glowing in psychic power as it casts a strong Reflect around them. Allowing them to blend in with the surrounding terrain. Rendering them practically invisible.

Far below them, League soldiers mingle as their marching lines struggle to form. Slowly but surely putting their accommodations away as they prepare for their morning march. Torches still burning bright due to the lack of sunlight breaking through the impending bad weather.

Above them, behind the swirling clouds, 1,500 Draconids are poised to drop. Each flying type with a trainer and another pokemon on its back. Since only the Captains have specialized flying armor, which includes the built-in headset for quick communications, the Aerials have to rely on psychic types to relay orders.

The Captains use Silvanus' Alakazam to send orders to the Lieutenants. And the Lieutenants carry various other psychics types to order their squadrons and send reports back to the Captains.

It makes sense. Gary thinks. If everyone were on the comms unit, no one would be able to hear orders over all the shouting and noise of battle. This way, the Lieutenants don't have to yell over the wind and the Captains will have an open comms channel to send the dragons to specific areas to turn the tide of battle.

While the higher ranks have psychic types with them, the other Aerials ride with fast sweepers. Nimble pokemon that can leap off a low flying type, cause massive damage in the blink of an eye, and hop back behind its trainer before the flyer gets too far away. Or pokemon that can unleash quick, long range attacks from its perch behind its trainer.

However, Gary hasn't had time to introduce his pokemon with the Beta yet. And definitely hasn't had time to train them to attack from above in Aerial combat like Ash's Pikachu instinctively can. The League doesn't fight that way and since losing Fearow at Silph Co., he didn't have another flyer to teach the Aerials' main maneuvers with during the months he has lived with the Draconids.

So he sits alone on the back of his Dragonite. Not that Captains really need additional support from other pokemon due to overwhelming strength of the dragons.

He looks above him. Gary's enhanced vision can't pick out any of the Aerials hidden in the clouds. Their virtually silent wingbeats doing nothing to disrupt the thick clouds. Proving how well trained the flying type pokemon are to be able to gather in mass without revealing their presence.

Time seems to slow down as they wait for the right moment. The instant where the League soldiers relax their defenses as they transition from guarding their camps to marching.

The Forest Blade Rider nods to his psychic type. The psi pokemon relaying the predetermined orders with ease.

Seconds later, the Aerials rain down from above. As silent as a feather floating through the wind. As deadly as the calm that passes right before a hurricane.

Chaos immediately erupts below. Soldiers cry out in confusion and pain as their half-formed camp is ripped to shred by claws, talons and swords.

Before the soldiers can even begin to mobilize against the multitude of Aerial units, the pokemon disappear back into the clouds. Only for another squadron to appear a hundred yards away.

Gary smirks in amusement. No wonder the League has had such problems with the Dragon Riders in the past. By the time soldiers arrive at a skirmish point, the Draconids vanish. Leaving the soldiers to scurry back and forth to protect their own and their supplies. They dare not risk sending units up into the sky since the League can't verify the Aerials' numbers with so many squads appearing and disappearing at once.

Silvanus already warned him before they got into position that they should not risk any more Hyper Beams. The devastating attacks take too much time to charge and drains the dragon's energy stores too quickly. Plus, there is a strong possibility one of the swooping Aerials will be disintegrated in the attack as well.

And the Draconids can't afford to lose any more clansmen and women. Not with the numbers they are up against.

Their campaign will be a long, grueling one. Having to keep up small attacks frequently to keep the League soldiers on their toes. Especially to lure them away from Mt. Silver to the Plateau when the moment is right. They can't waste energy on any large assaults.

Not yet anyway.

This battle will be the biggest since the League has been caught unaware. Their orders are to cause as much damage as possible in order to slow the League's progress. To give Ash more time to travel and lay siege to the Plateau.

Heath's rising arm catches Gary's attention. The young Captain points towards a large tank that's starting to power up. Gary knows the model well. Having spent several weeks learning the mechanics of it back at the Academy. They have less than half a minute to destroy it before it begins shooting Aerials out of the sky.

It takes the dragons less than 20 seconds.

The Beta's Ice Beam completely compromises the structural integrity of the tank. Turning the metal extremely brittle with the instantaneous massive change in temperature. Twin Tail Whips from Frank and Anibal's pokemon reducing the armored vehicle to pieces of scrap metal.

They launch back into the air before blood can even ooze from the cracks. The lifeblood of the soldiers that were crushed inside from the quick attack.

Gary stills as a Silvanus' voice speaks through his comms unit. "Aerials captured in nets 1.2 miles East, 1.8 miles East and 0.3 miles West. Retrieve immediately."

Quickly assigning targets, Gary's team splits apart. The Beta rockets East. Her speed unmatched by the two smaller Dragonties. Seconds pass before she is reaching out her thick limbs. Snatching at the large metal net that was launched to successfully capture seven Aerials. Their four other squad members flapping helplessly above them. Not having the strength to lift them up to safety.

With a massive heave and powerful flap of her wings, the net rises. Quickly rising above the ground as she gains momentum.

A loud clicking to their right draws their attention. Another net has been loaded into the launcher, a bulky tube attached to one of the League's trucks. Designed specifically to pull the Dragon Riders out of the sky.

A low rumbling growl echoes from the Beta's chest. Her temperature dropping as she prepares another Ice Beam. The charge time increasing due to her fatigue and struggle to lift the net higher off the ground.

With a massive roar, she fires at the net launcher. The device exploding with the intensity of the beam. Causing a chain explosion with the truck and two other vehicles nearby.

She growls again. Gary can feel the tense muscles rippling beneath his fingertips. Her anger abating some at her revenge. Destroying the machine that dare hurt the Draconids and pokemon she considers under her protection.

For she is the Queen of Mt. Silver. She will be the shield for those weaker than her.

Gary flinches as a bullet ricochets of the armor at her shoulder. Eyes hardening in fury, he whips his gun from its holder. Beretta in hand, Gary fires at every soldier that meets his gaze. Every single one that dares to raise a gun against his pokemon. Ending their lives before they can hope to puncture her vulnerable wings.

As they fly out of range, he chances a glance around. The tide of the battle is beginning to shift. The soldiers mobilizing as their training overrides their confusion. Cries of pain from his comrades pierce through the noise of battle as more and more bullets find their mark. Flashes from the ground below light the oncoming dawn as pokemon are called out from their pokeballs.

A Pidgeotto darts right in front of his face as it flaps vigorously toward the cliff face. Its trainer hanging on desperately as the pokemon tilts farther to the side. One wing barely moving due to its odd positioning. The other wing bravely trying to support both of their weights. The trainer's other pokemon that was supposed to be riding with him is nowhere to be seen.

"Retreat. Regroup in the ravine. Stay in cloud cover as long as possible to prevent being followed." The orders echo clearly through his comms unit.

The Beta adjusts her angle immediately. Pushing up into the clouds to hide their retreat. Gary trusts her to know where she's going. He takes the moment to check over his pokemon for injury or blood.

Finding none, he glances at their charge. The Aerials are tangled together in the heavy net hanging from his Dragonite's claws. Blood drips steadily from its confines. The metal ropes cutting into exposed skin and flesh from pokemon and trainer alike. Now, clear of the battle and with retreat orders given, the Aerials call back their pokemon to give themselves more room and to prevent further injury.

Gary shivers as they pass through several strong psychic barriers several minutes later. Gaining in intensity the closer they get to the Aerials' camp. Alerting the psychic pokemon on the receiving end of who is coming and going. Preventing any League soldiers from slipping in unannounced as well as hiding their camp from sight.

The Beta sets the net down gently before landing gracefully onto the ground. Breathing heavily at having to carry such a heavy load after all the energy she had already expended through the night.

Gary leaps down to help the Aerials out of the net. Pulling them to their feet before walking with them to the meeting ground to be debriefed and for scouts to be determined.

Just as he steps closer to the remaining Captains, an image appears behind his eyes. A picture of Ash in matching battle Armor. Face grim as he looks straight ahead. The sky dark above his partner as the Royals flank his sides. The angle obviously from the Alpha's point of view as the titan turns to look back at his Rider.

The picture quickly changes to an aerial view of the Grounders leaving Mt. Silver. Dust raising up in a small cloud from all the running feet. The Draconids determined to put some miles between them and their home before the sun sets. Just in case any League scouts are in the area attempting to keep them bottled up inside their base.

The march to seize the Indigo Plateau has begun.

xxx-War of the Dragon Riders-xxx

AN: I actually really like this chapter. Action makes everything better in my opinion. But yep. 1,500 Aerials to 150,000 League soldiers. Guerilla tactics are really going to come in handy next chapter.

3 chapters left! AHHHH!

AN: Fun fact! Lightning bolts carry on average 5 to 200 kilo-amps of current and voltages vary from 40 to 120 kilo-volts. Lets say the lightning bolt was 100 kilo-amps (100,000 amps) and 100 kilo-volts (100,000 volts) for easy math. To calculate the power of the lightning bolt, you just have to use this formula: Power (in watts) = Current (in amps) x Voltage (in volts). And that comes to about 10 BILLION watts! Enough to power 50+ homes for an entire day! Yay math! Now just imagine how powerful a dragon induced lightning bolt can be O_o

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Next up: Chapter 43 - Plateau